**UPDATE #5–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE TO CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that a significant storm will continue in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area over the next 24 hours. The previously announced highway closure will continue today between Ragged Point (SLO PM 72.87) to Gorda (MON PM 10.12).  The Highway 1 closure, for traveler safety, will include the areas of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide and will remain closed today, Monday, Feb. 4 until further notice. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

Storm activity is currently forecast through Tuesday, Feb. 5th.

Businesses along the Big Sur Coast on Hwy. 1 remain open and are accessible via Highways 101, 68 and 46.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again—we currently anticipate this to be Tuesday, Feb. 5th.  Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

An update will be provided Tuesday, Feb. 5th during the afternoon hours or sooner.

 

On Tuesday of last week, I left for thei northern climes of the Monterey Peninsula. I was overdue (by 3 months) for my annual physical…again…

I got a place to camp in my new Sprinter in town. Wonderful place.

And I pulled in on Tuesday for my Wednesday appointment. This was my view out the front window. Better yet, the host or ranger was an ex of a close friend, and he was super helpful to me. I made my appointment, had to go back on Thursday for labs, and other clinics and stayed another night so I could met with some of my long time friends, Cheryl Harris, Vilia Kakis Giles, and Rose Welch for lunch on Thursday. Even Elyse stopped by. Wonderful lunch. Then Friday was the annual Planned Parenthood Rowe v. Wade luncheon and I had a ticket.

Friday morning, I checked the weather, and it was deteriorating. Rock Knocker called and said I better get home. I sent emails, apologizing for canceling my attendance at the luncheon, and did a quick grocery shopping, gas, and headed south.,

That afternoon, I got through the northern proposed closure before it happened, and headed up Plaskett. I could not get through the clay pit of the “S” turns. I tried twice, but got stuck, so had to back down in clay, slipping and sliding for quite a ways. Finally was able to get down to the highway again around 3:30 pm.

I thought of heading up Naci to SCR Rd and home the back way, but there wasn’t time before dark, and Mud Creek was going to close at 5, so I made the spontaneous decision to go south, where there was cell service, and thus internet, and where I had friends.

I went south…(to be continued tomorrow – one each day this week)